Air India families 'need answers' with sabotage 'not ruled out'
Aviation Minister Murlidhar Mohol said investigators are looking into every single explanation for what caused Flight 171 to crash on June 12, killing 240 passengers instantly.
'It's never happened before that both engines have shut off together,' he told news channel NDTV.
'The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has begun a full investigation into it … it is being probed from all angles, including any possible sabotage. The CCTV footage is being reviewed and all angles are being assessed.'
But questions are being raised about the lack of information released from authorities, nearing a month on from the tragic crash.
Aviation consultant Bernard Lavelle told Metro that questions around the Air India investigation have focused on the black boxes – analysis began just days ago, despite the boxes being found 2 weeks ago.
'They sat there for a week, with no data download, which is unusual given they said the investigation would be fully transparent,' he said.
Normally, authorities also host daily media conferences during the first week period for updates, which has not been done, and created a dangerous information vacuum for conspiracy theories, he added.
When Malaysian Airlines flight 370 disappeared in March 2014, officials held daily conferences for weeks.
'There have been wild rumours about the crash causes, most of which are all nonsense because they haven't come from official channels. But because investigators haven't been telling people what's happening, it's created an information vacuum which people then fill with nonsense,' he said.
Mr Lavelle told Metro that the authorities' mentioning that they wouldn't rule out sabotage is likely a direct response to questions asked about the reasons behind the flight.
But the delay in analysing the black boxes has raised two major concerns, Mr Lavelle said, both human and technical.
'Families and friends of those who died want to know what happened, and they aren't getting that information,' he added.
Though there are no indications of a technical issue with the Boeing 787 Dreamliners, Mr Lavelle says the public needs an indication as to what the faults were in this crash, to see if any technical faults could develop on other aircraft.
Analysis of the raw data from the black boxes could take some time. The UN recommends that countries publish a preliminary report within 30 days of the incident.
Its guidance states that the final report should be made available in the 'shortest possible time', ideally within a year.
Days ago, Air India was forced to apologise after leaked footage showed the bosses of one of its joint ventures partying just days after the air disaster. More Trending
Viral footage showed executives of Air India SATS (AISATS), the airline's cargo and ground handling arm, dancing to blaring music.
The clip was believed to have been filmed at the company's offices in Gurugam, near Delhi on June 20.
AISATS said in a statement: 'AISATS is aware of a video being circulated on social media that unfortunately is completely out of context.
'Notwithstanding, we sincerely regret any emotional discomfort this may have caused.'
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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Metro
16 hours ago
- Metro
The disability employment gap affects 16million of us - can the goverment fix it
When Keighley Miles was at school, it was always assumed that she wouldn't be able to find work. 'Nothing was ever mentioned about career options or further education,' the 39-year-old, who was born deaf, tells Metro. 'I can't remember ever being told that I could do whatever I wanted, or anybody talking to me about what life would be like as a deaf adult.' It's no wonder that such a lack of support left Keighley, who lives in Essex, struggling to find consistent work after leaving school – a problem compounded by difficulties communicating. 'We moved from London to Essex when I was 15, and I didn't attend school after that,' she continues. 'It led to depression and left me feeling like I wouldn't ever achieve anything in life.' 40-year-old Holly Donovan can relate, never having a full-time job. Not because they don't want one, but because they cannot find employment that accommodates their disability. 'All I want to do is work, but there aren't enough opportunities for disabled people like me,' says Holly, who uses a wheelchair due to a childhood cancer which left them with chronic pain and a metal rod in their back. 'I'm stuck only living on Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which could be cut under Labour's plans, while my partner has to support me because I can't bring any money in. I'm living in poverty, and I shouldn't be.' The difference in employment rates between disabled and non-disabled people is stark. At the end of 2024, the disability employment gap stood at 28.6% – a 1% increase from 2023. It's a breach that has remained stagnant at around 30% for three decades, and while Labour has promised to get one million people back into work, the workplace hurdles disabled people face are often complex. 'The disability employment gap exists because of a combination of systemic, structural, and cultural barriers,' explains Sue Wray, head of community for Hamelin, a disability charity focused on empowering autistic adults and people with learning disabilities. 'Then there's the issue of assumptions; too many employers still make snap judgements about someone's abilities without really understanding their strengths.' As Keighley and Holly know too well, the roots of the issue often stem way before working age. And while there's no doubt that upcoming generations have benefited from the improvement of special educational needs (SEN) education, many disabled children are still losing out on access to proper education. Talking about their school days in the late nineties, Holly tells Metro: 'There was no form of encouragement; they would just dump me in a corner, isolated, then push me to my next lesson to get dumped again. 'School was something I had to endure rather than taking anything from and nobody taught me about reasonable adjustments, so I had no idea I could ask for them at work opportunities.' When Holly did get their first work experience at a pharmacy as an assistant, it was cut short due to physical pain. 'By the end of the first week, I just burst into tears because I was in too much pain,' they say. 'That was the point when I realised that I didn't know what I was going to do because my body clearly couldn't handle traditional employment.' Research shows that approximately 28% of UK workers use a hybrid model of work, splitting time between home and the office, and around 13% of workers are fully remote. While this may feel like a step towards workplace inclusivity, Holly believes that it doesn't address the base issue: without being able to gain meaningful work placement in the first place, it's nigh on impossible to secure a job – remote or not. 'How am I ever going to compete in a job market where I'll never have the same amount of experience as an able-bodied person of the same age? Last time I went for a remote position, I was fighting against 321 people; it's no wonder that I didn't get it,' says Holly. While the rights of disabled people at work are protected under the Equality Act 2010, many are unaware that they are eligible for support. For example, the government grant scheme Access to Work helps cover additional costs for employers and employees with health issues. In 2023/24, it supported nearly 50,000 people, but the system is under immense pressure. The average wait time for assistance is currently 12 to 16 weeks, with some waiting up to 30 weeks. 'Although it can be life-changing when it works well, delays, poor communication, and inconsistent decision-making have left many unable to access the support they need,' explains Sue Wray. 'In some cases, people have had to turn down employment opportunities altogether due to waiting months for the assistance they were entitled to.' Keighley is one of the scheme's success stories. When her second son was born deaf in 2015, she wanted to lead by example and show him that he could achieve anything he wanted, so set her sights on becoming a childminder. 'In past customer service jobs, I would lose commissions because I'd have to pass clients over to colleagues when I couldn't hear them – but then I met a wonderful lady who was a childminder who offered me a job,' she says. 'Around that time, I also learned about Access to Work and realised that when the time came, I could set up my own childminding business with the right support.' Keighley has since founded her own business, which provides communication support workers for 40 hours a week, enabling her to communicate effectively with parents. But, Keighley stresses, she only found out about Access to Work after meeting other deaf adults at a group for deaf toddlers and children. 'I came across it by chance,' she says. Another government initiative, the Disability Confident scheme, encourages employers to think differently; however, Jane Hatton, CEO and founder of EvenBreak, a not-for-profit career support service for disabled people, believes it 'lacks accountability and meaningful benchmarks'. 'Disability Confident rightly acknowledges that employers must become more inclusive, she adds, 'but data shows that those employers [who have] become 'Disability Confident' don't employ more disabled people than others, so the label is largely symbolic.' EvenBreak is one of the numerous non-governmental organisations making significant efforts to close the gap by collaborating with job seekers and employers to provide support and resources that enhance inclusivity and accessibility. Hamelin is another, and has launched an initiative called Ability Works to support autistic adults and individuals with learning disabilities in securing employment. One person benefitting, is Ederson Silva, 45, who had to start from scratch following an accident that made him a wheelchair user. As the main provider for his family, Ederson had to return to work because even after 30 years of pension contributions, the support provided wouldn't cover the basic needs of his family. However, he tells Metro, he found it challenging to convince recruiters and employers of his employability. 'Vacancies for people with disabilities tend to be very limited; this was the biggest challenge, there are simply fewer opportunities,' he explains from his home in Broughton. 'I was fortunate to have over 22 years of prior experience in my field, and working in a specialised area made it more attractive for companies to value my expertise despite my disability.' After getting in touch with STEM Returners, Ederson was contacted with a 12-week placement opportunity and the scheme supported him through every step. 'At the end, I had the opportunity to become a permanent member of the team and I took it,' he adds. 'I had very little hope of being able to provide a dignified life for my family again. Now, I feel once again a respected professional in the workforce. Being able to give my family the dignity they deserve has been life-changing.' Meanwhile, Holly has joined a UK government initiative called The Work and Health Programme but admits the process is incredibly frustrating. 'It was absolute murder to try and get on it; I'd phone up the DWP hotline and most of them didn't even know the scheme existed,' Holly explains. Although the initiative helped them write a CV and get interviews, no job offers followed. 'I always get great feedback – but they still go with someone who has more experience every time,' she says. 'I feel used as part of a tick box exercise for employers to show that they've looked at disabled people for the job.' Following the announcement of Labour's numerous plans to help disabled people return to work, a DWP spokesperson told Metro: 'We are determined to bring down the disability employment gap and to do this, our £1 billion reforms will help sick or disabled out of poverty and our Keep Britain Working review will provide recommendations for government and employers on how they can better support disabled people and those with ill health who are at risk of falling out of work.' Despite this apparent will to close the gap, many experts feel the solution remains unclear. Others also warn that the government's approach does not take into account some disabled and chronically ill people. More Trending 'If we're serious about closing that gap, we need practical, properly funded support that's delivered efficiently and designed with disabled people, not just for them,' says Sue Wray. 'The Connect to Work programme [a new government initiative to help disabled people move into and maintian work] might be a step towards this, but we remain unconvinced that the level of funding is sufficient to make any significant headway, especially as providers are asked to deliver support for a very broad group of jobseekers, including people with mental health conditions, ex-offenders and care leavers, within a relatively small financial envelope.' 'The government needs to stop cutting essential support and start strengthening what already exists,' adds Jane Hatton. 'Just as importantly, the narrative needs to change. 'The idea that disabled people choose not to work is simply untrue and deeply damaging. The government should lead by example and employ more disabled people directly to show what inclusive hiring really looks like.' MORE: Want the ultimate wedding makeup? Charlotte Tilbury's bridal services are the perfect choice! MORE: SURI just dropped the ultimate oral-care bundle – and it's a must for travel MORE: Is 'powder conditioner' the secret to better hair? We unpack the waterless wonder
Metro
a day ago
- Metro
Ukrainian prisoner reveals what helped him survive 860 days in Putin's hellish j
A freed Ukrainian prisoner of war has borne witness to the horrors he and his comrades have been subjected to in the Russian detention system. Valerii 'Yarylo' Horishnii told Metro they include a massacre at a notorious prison camp where the guards were said to have been 'laughing and drinking coffee' while watching inmates being burnt alive. The special forces soldier has gathered testimony that includes a jailer at the Olenivka prison allegedly telling prisoners 'you're f**** up today' before an explosion which killed 53 of his comrades and injured 139 others. Horishnii, who was injured and then captured in the last-stand defence of Mariupol, spoke openly about the 'hell on earth' he experienced during two years and four months in Vladimir Putin's detention system. He was routinely beaten with fists, kicks and rubber batons, given electric shocks and held in a notorious torture chamber called 'Isolation.' The Azov Brigade fighter, 28, who was part of a UK delegation which raised the case of Ukrainian prisoners, managed to survive through 'love and prayer', before going into shock for days after his release. At one point, he was housed in a cell next to Shaun Pinner, who served with the British military before becoming an Azov fighter. Incredibly, Horishnii has finished his rehabilitation since his release in September and is considering returning to active service. 'I was kept going by love and prayer', he said. 'Love towards my family, country, comrades and regiment. 'There were times when people felt desperate but we always supported each other. I prayed every day for those who were on the outside, for those fighting on the frontline and my family. 'I was scared that I would be released and find some of my family had died from the Russian missiles striking civilian infrastructure every day. 'I asked God to be released as soon as possible. 'I guess he heard my prayers.' Horishnii was part of a Ukrainian delegation that visited London in March to highlight the fate of his country's prisoners of war, and the need for their urgent exchange. The Senior Sergeant of the 12th Special Forces Brigade 'Azov' has also shared his testimony with the United Nations, holding up pictures of his mistreated friends. He is fortunate to still be able to tell his story. Horishnii narrowly missed death when Ukrainian prisoners of war were held in a facility which was blown up on July 28, 2022. 'My position was on the north of the frontline as we defended Mariupol from the very first day of the full-scale invasion back in February 2022,' he said. 'On March 18, 2022, we were relocated to the city centre after the Russians broke through on the western side. 'There were Russian troops, tanks and artillery running amok. 'The next day we were clearing a house of Russian troops when they fired an RPG at us. Both of my legs, my genitals and my left hand got hit. 'I still have some shrapnel in my body but fortunately it didn't do any permanent damage or hit any arteries. 'I was transported to one of the bunkers at the Azovstal factory where there was a hospital under the ground, and I remained there for the rest of the time I was there. 'On May 16, 2022, we got an order from our president and our commander-in-chief to go into Russian captivity. 'Our wounded were literally rotting and we had no medicine. 'We knew the Russians were lying when they said there would be representatives from the Red Cross and the United Nations present, and we would be tortured, but we had no other option.' Horishnii and other Ukrainian prisoners were first transferred to a notorious prison in Molodizhne, near Olenivka in Donetsk oblast. 'There was little food there but we were not tortured and we could move around, read books and talk to each other,' he said. 'After I was moved from Olenivka, there was a massacre where 53 Azov prisoners of war were killed and 139 others injured. 'Some of my cellmates who were there at the time told me how one day before this happened they had been moved into a separate barracks specifically for Azov servicemen. 'They saw some people on the roof of the barracks, who were wearing black ski masks and they looked like military engineers, planting something. A few hours later a Russian guard came up to them and said, 'you're f***** up today.' 'The next thing they heard Russian artillery nearby, they think the Russians tried to hide the sound of the explosion with artillery. 'Then there was a very big explosion on the roof and everything started burning right away, possibly because of the presence of oil. 'The Azov servicemen who were still alive were trying to help each other and give each other medical care. 'They remember that some of the Russian guards who had not been told of the massacre in advance were very scared, they were running around looking for their vests and helmets. 'But some who knew what was going to happen were laughing and drinking coffee. The head of the prison was there, drinking coffee and looking at those guys who were burning alive and he was laughing.' The prison's former head was killed in a blast from an explosive device planted under his car in December 2024, according to Ukrainian media. Sergei Yevsyukov is said to have died in Donetsk amid a series of attacks on pro-Kremlin figures in occupied territory. The search for justice continues in one of the war's many grim chapters perpetuated by Putin's forces. Three years on from the attack, the incident is front of mind in Ukraine after the country's parliament established July 28 as an occasion to remember those tortured or killed in captivity. 'The Russians said it was a Ukrainian HIMARS missile but our investigation points to an explosion on the roof,' Horishnii said of the prison atrocity. 'We have passed our evidence to the British ICRC and to parliamentarians. UN representatives were not allowed to go in and investigate at the time, which I guess the Russians would have been happy to do if it was a Ukrainian missile.' In remarkably composed terms, the veteran recalled how in captivity the cell became a 'comfortable zone', because at least he knew that once inside he would not be tortured. 'In the other prisons we were beaten, given electric shocks and hit with rubber batons,' he said. 'The beatings continued every day I was in captivity. You have to stay on your feet the whole day, you are not allowed to sit. 'Every day the cell door opened it was very stressful, you would have to run with your head very low and your hands tied behind your back. 'As you did this you would be punched and kicked and they used rubber batons and stun guns. 'As crazy as it sounds, the cell becomes a comfortable zone because when the door closes you know that you would not be tortured. 'For two years we did not see any sun, any sky, we were always in cells located underground.' Horishnii described the Russian brutality in the detention system. 'In a prison in the city of Makiivka, in the Donetsk region, the treatment was pretty much ok, even though we were not being in accordance with the Geneva Convention as it was a regular prison not intended specifically for prisoners of war,' he said. 'But all the other places were like hell on earth. 'I was in six places in total and you couldn't even call one a prison, it was a former youth hub for arts in Donetsk that the Russians had turned into a torture chamber called 'Isolation'.' A detailed analysis of the Olenivka massacre was published in June by the Centre for Human Rights in Armed Conflict. The Russian Federation planned and carried out the attack using artillery, and orchestrated the carnage to make it appear that the Ukrainian service members had been killed by Western weapons, the centre found. The findings have been submitted to the International Criminal Court, which is expected to begin formal proceedings, according to Azov. For Horishnii, the war continues, even after surviving Russian captivity. 'For the first four or five days after being released I was like a robot, I couldn't feel any emotion, I was just in shock,' he said. 'Then on the seventh day I started realising I did not have to comply with any orders such as singing the Russian anthem every day, I was a free person, a free human being. 'I cannot put into words how I felt when I saw my sister and parents, other than to say I was super happy. 'At least a hundred and fifty people have died in those torture chambers, and these are only the official figures so there will be many more, and the Azov prisoners of war are rotting. 'My legs were literally rotting because there was no nutritious food, regular beatings and no medical care. 'The International Red Cross and the UN cannot reach our prisoners because Russia does not allow it. 'If Russia is allowed to escape justice for its war crimes and treatment of prisoners then in my opinion it shows the international laws do not work.' Thousands of Ukrainians are currently being held in captivity in Russia and occupied Ukraine, facing torture, enforced disappearance and denied contact with the outside world, according to Amnesty International. The treatment amounts to war crimes and crimes against humanity, the campaign group said in a report published earlier in the year. 'As for me, I have gone through the rehabilitation process and under the Geneva Conventions and laws of Ukraine, I could just retire with an ideal scenario like living in the mountains, having some children and playing a guitar by the lake,' Horishnii said. 'But the war is still going on and it is hard for me to just leave. 'I had more than 100 friends killed in Mariupol and I can't just leave our struggle, so I'm thinking about going to go back to active duty, continuing my service as a reconnaissance scout and instructor.' The soldier added: 'Our trip to the UK has given us a lot of encouragement. More Trending 'I would like to thank the UK government and citizens for helping us, your support is priceless.' The UK is part of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine, which is being established to hold the perpetrators of war crimes to account in Ukrainian courts. On a visit to Lviv in May, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said setting up such a body was a 'key manifesto commitment' in the interests of 'accountability and justice.' Do you have a story you would like to share? Contact MORE: Commander's last message from Mariupol steelworks where they 'need a miracle' MORE: Young girl's single wish for New Year will break your heart MORE: Ukrainian band of brothers will return to fight after marathon finish line
South Wales Guardian
a day ago
- South Wales Guardian
We're backing Scotland with billions in investment, says Reeves ahead of visit
Rachel Reeves said Labour is 'seizing the huge potential and opportunities that Scotland has to offer' in defence and energy. She will visit RAF Lossiemouth in Moray and the St Fergus gas plant in Aberdeenshire on Friday, exactly a week after she toured the Rolls-Royce factory near Glasgow Airport. The Chancellor will meet 200 Boeing staff at the military site where three new E-7 Wedgetail aircraft are being made. The UK Government said its plans to increase defence spending to 2.6% will raise Britain's GDP by around 0.3%, while adding 26,100 jobs to the Scottish economy. It also pointed to its £200 million investment for Aberdeenshire's Acorn carbon capture project, which could create 15,000 new jobs while safeguarding 18,000 more. A final investment decision for the project is yet to be made. Ms Reeves said: 'We're seizing the huge potential and opportunities that Scotland has on offer. 'Whether it's in defence to keep the UK safe, or clean energy to power all corners of the country, this Government is backing Scotland with billions of pounds of investment to grow the economy and create jobs.' Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said the Government is investing in defence to 'ensure Britain's security and deter our adversaries and drive economic growth'. He added: 'This investment is a massive jobs opportunity for Scotland – this 'defence dividend' is good news for Scotland, where it will help create skilled jobs, drive economic growth, and help tackle the critical skills gaps facing the country in sectors such as nuclear, construction, maritime and project management.' Maria Laine, Boeing's UK president, said: 'Boeing has a long-standing presence in Scotland including at RAF Lossiemouth, the home to the UK's P-8 Poseidon fleet and where the E-7 Wedgetail will be based when it enters service. 'As a key partner of the UK Armed Forces, Boeing welcomes the defence spending increase and has seen first-hand how defence infrastructure investments, such as the £100 million Atlantic Building and new E-7 facilities at RAF Lossiemouth, can deliver for local jobs, suppliers and UK national security.' Michelle Ferguson, director of CBI Scotland, added: 'Scotland's energy and defence sectors are vital to our economy, driving investment and supporting thousands of skilled jobs. 'The Chancellor's announcement of £200 million for the Acorn energy project is very encouraging, but businesses are eager for final approval to unlock its full potential and secure North Sea jobs. 'Increased defence spending will further boost Scotland's skilled workforce and create growth opportunities across key supply-chain. 'Close collaboration between the Scottish and UK governments will be essential to fully realise these benefits, driving forward national security and Scotland's transition to a resilient, low-carbon economy.' Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce urged the Chancellor to drop the energy profits levy (EPL), the so-called 'windfall tax' on oil and gas companies, which has a headline rate of 78%. Chief executive Russell Borthwick said: 'If we stick to course on the accelerated decline of the North Sea, then we'll only have a few short years and not prosperous decades of future oil and gas from our own waters. 'Instead, we'll import more, pay more and suffer further consequences of jobs and businesses lost, just at the time we need them to support the energy transition. 'We know the Chancellor needs to find growth from somewhere within the UK economy. With oil and gas, there's no need to start from scratch or build out a nascent industry. 'Simply by removing the confiscatory EPL, letting investment flow into projects and stimulating activity in a sector which has been hammered by policy for too long, we can unlock significant growth in the UK economy.'
